Check strap assemblies for looms



y5, 1959 L. P. PLANTE ET AL 2,884,961

. CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLIES FOR LOOMS Filed Dec. 3, 1956 V 2 Sheets-Sheet lF/GJ INVENTORS Lou/s P. P/anfe MO/f/f? Roy a JJZZZ' ATTORNEYIZ May 5,1959 P. PLANTE ET AL 2,884,961

CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLIES FOR LOOMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1956 S 3m m m 6 VM. mum O i1 Mm P W r P R U m m mm & M fwd Y B b Q v %N. mm a L?mm mt vm mm kn end of its stroke in each direction to the end that thepicker stick-operated shuttle will always be properly United StatesPatent 2,884,961 CHECK STRAP ASSEMBLIES FOR LOOMS Application December3, 1956, Serial No. 625,937 11 Claims. (Cl. 139-166) Our inventionrelates to improvements in looms and more specifically to picker checkstrap assemblies and mounts therefor such as are disclosed in the VictorGravitt Patent No. 2,666,455 dated January 19, 1954, reference alsobeing had to our copending application, Serial No. 419,042, filed March26, 1954, now Patent No. 2,796,890. t

The prior art as disclosed in said patent contemplates a dependingshuttle box-carried bracket to which the central longitudinally slottedportion of a generally horizontal guide rod'is bolted or otherwisefixedly attached. ,The check strap of said patent comprises a length ofleather, or preferably two superposed strap lengths of leatherproviding, in the latter instance, registering holes .adjacent each endthrough which the guide rod ends extend so that the strap is slidablymounted on the guide rod.

. Each end of the guide rod in the patented structure is laterally bentto provide a fixed stop to limit longitudinal movement of the strapthereon under the action of the shuttle-actuating picker stick. Thepatented structure also incorporates end-adjacent buffer pads on theexterior surface of the outer strap length to engage and protect thestrap against damage resulting from impact with the laterally bentstop-providing rod ends.- Aside from the above noted function of saidpads, the latter are intended to prevent ripping out of the guiderod-receiving strap holes.

Although the check strap and guide rod assemblyof the aforementionedGravitt patent operated satisfactorily, it lacked durability. The guiderods, after a comparatively short period of. service, would fail at thesite of connection with the shuttle box carried bracket; and likewiseafter but limited service, the guide rod-receiving strap holeswouldelongate sothat the stop-carried butter pads would loosen and comeoff, with the result that the strap holes i would ultimately rip out. I

It is therefore one of the primary objects of our present invention toovercome the difliculties aforementioned by providing strong and durablecheck strap and guide rod members which will provide long andsatisfactory service. Thus, an integral and preferably drop-forged checkgstrap guide rod is provided which has a slotted and substantiallycentral bracket-bolt-receiving offset. As to the check strap of ourpresent invention, it provides novel reinforcing means at the site ofits guide rod-receiving holes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a check strap and guiderod mount assembly embodying means which enables the strap toeffectively and efficiently absorb any excess picker stick force as itapproaches the boxed. I

Additionally, the present. invention contemplates a multiple ply checkstrap which provides a stitf fiex-resisting outer ply of such as heavycanvas and a relatively flexible compressible inner ply of material suchas leather, r

2,884,961 Patented May 5, 1959 the said strap plies functioning toachieve improved operation of the check strap in checking or absorbingexcess picker stick-supplied force.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel means forconnecting the free guide rod-adjacent ends of the check strap; andwhich means cooperates with a stifiening component of the check strap totend to retain the latter in a substantial U-form. Thus, some of thepicker stick supplied force will be taken up or expended in partialdeformation of the normal U-form of the strap, by the picker stick.

Additional features of novelty of the check strap endconnecting meansmentioned in the preceding paragraph are (1) that said means isadjustable so that strap end spacement can be varied; and (2) that suchmeans readily admits of flat contact between the picker stick and theentire width of the opposed strap portions when engaged thereby.

Still another object of the invention is to furnish a flexible freestrap end connector; and also strap stiffening and reinforcing buffermeans at the site of connection of at least one end of said connectorwith the strap and which prevents twisting of said end of the connectorrelatively of the strap.

The invention also resides in certain other features of construction,combination and arrangement of the various parts, and in modes ofoperation thereof. Thus, the aforenoted and other objects of theinvention are attained by the now preferred example of our inventiveconcept which is shown in the accompanying drawings. It is to beunderstood, however, as will be appreciated by those versed in theart,tthat the invention is susceptible of other mechanical expressionswithin the spirit and scope of the subject matter claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings, wherein the same reference characters have been used todesignate the same parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating our improved check strapin association with certain parts of the picker mechanism of a loom;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the guide rod incorporating check strapassembly removed from the loom;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail takenon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a check strap end reinforcing insert toprevent ripping out of the guide rodreceiving holes;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of theinvention wherein a tie rod replaces the flexible strap end-securingstrap of Figs. 1-5;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, numeral 10 indicatesa conventional lay-provided shuttle guide of a loom having the pickerstick 11 for actuating the shuttle 13, the picker stick having theconventional 0 15a through which the ends of the guide rod 16 extend toslidably mount the check strap 15 thereon. The guide rod receiving holes15a of the check strap are somewhat oversized to admit free sliding ofthe check strap on the guide rod 16 and also to admit slight rocking ofthe check strap ends longitudinally of the guide rod. This latterpermits the picker stick 11. to make flat contact a ses with the innersurface of the check strap end portions, as indicated in Fig. 1.

The guide rod 16 is preferably drop-forged or otherwise formed toprovide the sturdy intermediate upstanding and elongated lug portion 17'which is longitudinally slotted, as at 18, toreceive the bracket-carriedbolt 19. A nut 19a clamps the guide rod to the outer face of the bracket14. However, instead of a slot, lug 17 may have a tapped hole so that itcan be threaded onto bolt '19 so that nut 19a can be dispensed with.

Referring now in detail to the U-form check strap 15, it will be notedthat it comprises the outer ply 21 of comparatively stiff and heavycanvas-like material such as a heavy web strapping. The inner ply 22 ofthe strap 15 is preferably of leather or correspondingly readilybendable material having shock absorbing properties.

To prevent elongation of the guide rod-receiving holes 1 qin thedirection of the free ends of the strap 15, we provide the preferablystiff insert pieces 23 which may be of fibre, plastic or metal. One ofthese insert pieces 23'is inserted between the strap plies 21 and 22from each free end thereof. The insert pieces 23 preferably extend toabout the line of the axis of the guide rod 16, said insert pieces 23,as indicated inFig. 5, having the half circle cutouts 23a which embracethe adjacent area of the guide rod 16. Thus, the insert pieces 23 serveto sustain the load imparted to the strap holes 15a in the direction ofthe free ends of strap 15, and which would otherwise tend to elongatesaid holes in said direction and ultimately rip said holes out.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the inner surface of leather strap ply 22 hassuperposed thereon and extending in- -wardly from each end, thepreferably leather tongue lengths 24 which terminate in skived innerends 24b substantially inwardly of the area of strap 15 which is engagedby picker stick 11. One function of the tongue lengths 24 is to give thecheck strap 15 more body at the point of impact of picker stick '1'1 andto further tend to resist flexation of the check strap 15 adjacent itsends. The short tongue sections 24 have a further function which will bementioned presently.

Rivets or the like 25 adjacent each end of strap 15 serve to securetogether the components 21, 22, 23, 24

thereof, as will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 3.

One of the important features of the check strap of the presentinvention is that it is caused to normally take the previously mentionedU.-form illustrated infull lines in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. Incarrying out this phase ofdthe invention, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,we-provide what is preferably a flexible fibre tie strip member 26 whichhas its ends seated in the respective vertical inner surface grooves 24awhich are provided by the tongue sections 24. Thehooked ends 27a of theshank members 27 engage through holes 26a of the tie strip 26 to holdthe ends thereof seatedin the vertical tongueprovided grooves 24a, therebeing set collars 28 secured on the outer portions of the shank members27. Set screws 29 retain the set collars 28 in a fixed location onshanks 27. When difierent spacernents of the ends of oheck strap15 isdesired, tie strips of different lengths-are employed, or one-end ofthetielstrip 2 6 is allowed to be spaced from the inner surface of'st'rap'15. Means other than hook ends 27a can be used-to secure shanks -27 tostrip member 26.

The advantage of-usinga flexible type strip or member "Itis also tobe-observed-that-onlyone seat (-24a) providing tongue member '24 canbe--en1ployed if desired, .as one-suchis ordinarily -suflicienttoprevent the-ends of tie strip 26 from twistingoutof substantiallyverticalengagement withthe inner surface of strap .15.

As -shown in Fig. 3, 1 the =-guiderod 16 has .adjacent its end portionand exteriorly of the outer surface of strap 15, the stop members 30which are held in a predetermined set position by set screws 31. Locatedinwardly of the guide rod carried stops 30 are the leather or otherbuffer washers 32 which are interposed between the stop members 30 andthe outer surfaces of the strap ends. The stop members 30 have animportant function in that they intercept the adjacent strap end as itis moved under the action of the picker stick 11 and thus determine thestage of strap 15 movement at which the strap will start being deformedfrom its normal U-shape by the action of the picker stick. Thus, thestops 30 cooperate with the stiffened U-forrn of the check strap 15 togive the latter a final picker stick power absorbing function orcharacteristic. This enables the strap 15 to absorb whatever excesspicker stick force is applied by its actuating cam (not shown) beyondthat required for proper boxp 9f th h tt "The above mentionedcharacteristic or feature of the present invention is highly importantin actual practice since the stops30, at different settings-lengthwiseof guide rod 16, provide a variably effective bumper action for thestrap'ends, which bumper action takes place, as heretofore indicated,upon contact with the strap ends with the washer buffered stops 30. i

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 6, 7 and8, it willbe noted that the check strap 15' comprises the outer canvasply 21 and inner leather ply 22 as before with the reinforcing inserts23 inserted between said plies from each end. The guide rod 16corresponds to that earlier described as well as the guide rod carriedstops 30 and buffer washers 32. However, the tongue strips 24 of Figs.l-S are deleted in the modified form of the invention. Also in themodified form of the invention, the flexible tie strip 26 is replaced bya tie rod 33 located adjacent the bottom edge of the strap 15 andpassing through holes 33a inwardly of the strap ends.

Spacer stops in the form of set collars 34 are secured on tie rod 33 byset screws 35 and abut the inner faces of the strap ends while setcollars 36 secured on said tie red by set screws 37 abut the outer facesof the strap ends to maintain the U- form of strap 15'. The holes 33athrough which the rod 33 extends are somewhat oversized to admit offlexing of the strap ends in the direction of the length of the guiderod 16 and tie rod 33, so as to enable the inner faces of the strap endsto make flat contact with the picker stick 11 when the latter is movedits illustrated forms, some of the picker stick force is expended inovercoming the inertia of the strap which I is to say in starting ofmovement of same along with the picker stick 11 in the direction ofmovement of the latter. Also some picker stick force is of courseexpended in moving the strap along the guide rod 16. Then when theexterior strap end surfaces engage the stop backed buffer washers 32 theexcess of picker stick force beyond that required to properly box theshuttle 13 is taken up by the force required to deform the canvasply-stiffened check strap 15 or 15 from its normal Uv-form.

when the flexible tie strip 26 is used as in Figs. l -5, it will benoted that said tie strip 26 flexes to admit of the inner surfaces ofthe strap end portions making flat contact with the picker stick.

It can be understood that the present improvements,

in whole or in part, can be incorporated in'check strap assemblies ofthe patented G ravitt type which are alr a i .us Fu t e h nld em has zethat by disconnecting one end of the tie strip 26 or tie rod '33 fwthere atcs e 5 pf t 15, the latter a b applied t elo m wi hqu t u i ra fth P ke i k 1. thes- --frorn.

a will 32 enera es! th stra end qnne tin t strip 26 or tie rod 33 causesthe strap ends to move as a unit under picker stick action. Thus, withthe present strap, the trailing strap end will not lag behind theleading end and by assuming a more or less acute angle to the guide rodaxis tend to elongate its guide rod hole a while frictionally resistingstrap movement on guide rod 16.

In contradistinction to the patented Gravitt check strap the finalabsorption of excess picker stick force is effected, as mentionedearlier herein, by'resistance to deformation of the U-form of the strapinstead of by friction between relatively shiftable strap plies andbetween the guide rod and the ply-provided strap holes 15a. The strapendconnecting tie member 26 (Fig. 2) or 33 (Fig. 6) serves tosubstantially prevent any tendency of strap plies 21, 22 to shiftrelatively in service, and further, the strap ends are connected byrivets 25 or the like. Thus tendency of the guide rod-receiving strapholes 15a to elongate in service is greatly reduced.

It is to be observed that in some instances the guide ro-d carried stopscan be eliminated and picker stick induced travel of the strap 15 onguide rod 16 halted by engagement of the trailing strap end with theslotted bracket-carried lug 17. When this happens picker stick powerabsorbing deformation of the strap 15 will take place as before, exceptthat the tie strip 26 (or tie rod 33) will be subjected to increasedload.

The guide hole-reinforcing strap end inserts 23 have the furtherfunction of giving the strap ends desirable stiffness and increased bodythickness. This serves to better sustain rivets 25, the tiestrip-retaining hook members 27, 27a, and when used, the strap endconnecting tie rod 33 of Fig. 6.

The check strap, according to the present invention, may be made indifferent widths and lengths as may be required for different looms andthe same applies to tie strips 26, when used. Also, the guiderod-receiving holes 15a and the holes for the hook shanks 27 (Fig. 3) orthe holes for tie rod 33 (Fig. 6) can be located in dilferent positionswidthwise of the check strap. Location of such holes differently thanillustrated herein may be necessary in some instances so that strapassembly parts will clear loom projections.

It is to be observed that relatively stiff and heavy outer canvas likestrap ply 21 serves to yieldingly resist flexation of strap 15 and thustends to preserve the form of the loop that is provided thereby.However, it will be obvious that other loop stiffening means can beprovided extending inwardly from adjacent the strap ends to, or beyondthe picker stick-intercepting strap areas.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. In a picker stick check strap means for looms wherein the check strapis slidable on a loom-carried guide rod, the strap having a flexibleleather-like member defining a substantially U-form loop segment throughwhich the picker stick extends and having guide rod-receiving holesadjacent opposite strap ends, there being tie means connecting endportions of said strap at the opposite side of said guide rod from saidloop segment; the combination of yielding stiffening means incorporatedas a part of said strap inwardly of the plane of the stick-engagingsurface thereof and extending longitudinally of the strap from eachstrap end side of said guide rod-receiving holes and beyond the pickerstick-intercepting strap areas, whereby to cooperate with said tie meansin tending to maintain the U-form of said strap and in tending to causethe end portions of the latter to slide on said guide rod withoutlongitudinal rocking in a direction longitudinally of the rod axis underpicker stick supplied power, and strap end portion-intercepting stopmeans on said guide rod and engaged by the strap after limited movementof the same on the rod whereby to cause such picker stick induceddeformation of the strap-provided loop segment, against the action ofsaid stiffening means, as

I 6 will absorb any excess picker stick power beyond that required forproper shuttle boxing.

2. The structure of claim 1, and said rod-carried stop means comprisingseparate stop members located exteriorly of the respective strap endportions and adjustable longitudinally of said guide rod.

3. The structure of claim 1, and said guide rod receiving strap holesbeing oversized with respect to the cross-section of the guide rodwhereby the strap end portions can rock transversely in a directionlongitudinally of the guide rod under picker stick engagement therewithso as to substantially flatly engage the picker stick. f

4. The structure of claim 1, and said rod-carried stop means comprisingseparate stop members located exteriorly of the respective strap endportions and adjustable longitudinally of said guide rod, and said guiderod receiving strap holes being oversized with respect to thecross-section of the guide rod whereby the strap end portions can rocktransversely in a direction longitudinally of the guide rod under pickerstick engagement therewith so as to substantially flatly engage thepicker stick.

5. The structure of claim 1, and said rod-carried stop means comprisingseparate stop members located exteriorly of the respective strap endportions and adjustable longitudinally of said guide rod, and shockabsorbing buffers slidable on said guide rod and interposed between therespective stop members and the adjacent strap end portion.

6. The structure of claim 1, and said guide rod receiving strap holesbeing oversized with respect to the crosssection of the guide rodwhereby the strap end portions can rock transversely in a directionlongitudinally of the guide rod under picker stick engagement therewithso as to substantially flatly engage the picker stick, and said strapend portion-connecting tie means being of flexible material whereby toavoid any substantial resistance to said rocking of the strap endportions.

7. The structure of claim 1, and said strap end-connecting tie meansincluding a flexible member located between the strap end portionslongitudinally of said guide rod so thatthe strap will flatly engage thepicker stick when engaged by the latter.

8. The structure of claim 1, and said strap end-connecting tie meanscomprising a flexible tie strip, and strap end portion carried anchormembers detachably secured to said tie strip.

9. In a picker stick check strap means for looms wherein the check strapis slidable on a loom carried guide rod, the strap having a flexibleleather-like ply defining a substantially U-form segment through whichthe picker stick extends and having guide rod receiving holes adjacentopposite strap ends, there being tie means connecting end portions ofsaid strap at the opposite side of said guide rod from said loopsegment; the combination of an exterior backing ply of heavy stiffcanvaslike material incorporated as a part of said strap and havingend-adjacent holes through which said guide rod extends, said backingply being coextensive in length with said leather-like ply and securedto the latter adjacent its ends, whereby to cooperate with said tiemeans in tending to maintain the U-form of said strap and in tending tocause the end portions of the latter to slide on said guide rod withoutlongitudinal rocking in a direction longitudinally of the rod axis underpicker stick supplied power, and longitudinally adjustable strap-endportion-intercepting stop means on said guide rod adjacent opposite endsand engaged by the strap after limited movement of the same on the rod,whereby to cause such picker stick-induced deformation of the strapprovided loop segment, against the action of said stiffening means, aswill absorb any excess picker stick power beyond that required forproper shuttle boxing.

10. The structure of claim 9, and said strap end-connecting tie meanscomprising a flexible tie strip, a strap end pontion reinforcing tonguemember overlying at least a portion of the'innersur face offlie innerstrap ply and eg ttend ing from adjacent one free end of the strap to apoint opposite the picker stick, a common means connecting the free endsof said strap plies and securing the tongue member thereto adjacent theouter end of the latter, said tongue member having a surface tie stripendreceiving seat to prevent twisting of said strip end in service, andstrap end portion-carried anchor members deta chably secured tosaid tiestrip. i

11. The structure of claim 1, and said tie means comprising a flexiblestrip, a strap end portion reinforcing tongue member overlying at leasta portion of the exposed inner surface thereof and extending fromadjacent one free end of the strap to a point opposite the pickerstickjsaid'tongilerirernber having a surface tie strip endr'ce ivin'gseat to prevent t'vvisting of said strap end in service, strap endportion-carried anchor members detachably secured'to said tie strap, andcommon means securing said tongue member; and stifiening means tosaidsfrapi. t 7

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,532,543 Dodenhofl Dec. 5, 1950 2,666,455 Gravitt' Jan. 19, 19542,796,890 Plant'e et a1. June 25, 1957

